WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 13, 2007 --At the Federal Trade Commission's Broadband
Connectivity Competition Policy this week, the president and CEO of the
Electronic Retailing Association, Barbara Tulipane, served as a panelist
for a discussion on broadband connectivity. The Electronic Retailing
Association is the only industry association representing direct response
marketing companies and major retailers that use electronic media to sell
goods and services to consumers.

During the panel, which focused on quality of service, tiering, and
charging fees for prioritized delivery of broadband access, Tulipane
stressed the need to continue a non-prioritized, "open" Internet scenario.
While Tulipane believes that providers can recoup their investment and
create additional revenue streams by charging for non-internet-related
broadband applications, such video or television, she believes that the
Internet should be separated from such broadband services.

"This position keeps the internet as an open network where our smaller
retailers can continue to provide consumers with content the consumer
wants," said Tulipane. "Because in today's world the consumer is in
charge."

Further, Tulipane stressed the importance of innovation for Internet
content providers. As today's Internet is comprised of interconnected
networks that do not distinguish service based on source or content,
providers have been forced to innovate in order to meet consumers changing
shopping habits. However, prioritization based on source or content will
result in a closed network, and will stifle the innovation of both large
and small e-retailers.

"What's interesting about the ERA membership is that the small players
today may very well be a Google, or an eBay tomorrow," said Tulipane.
"Their model for success is their ability to innovate."

The FTC Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy brought together experts
from business, government, and the technology sector, consumer advocates,
and academics to explore competition and consumer protection issues
relating to broadband Internet access. The workshop examined the
capabilities and incentives of broadband Internet service providers to
discriminate against, degrade, block, or charge fees for prioritized
delivery of unaffiliated content and applications.

For more information on the Electronic Retailing Association, visit ERA's
website at www.retailing.org.